Door knob assembly



Jan. 15, 1963 -r. G. SCONZO ETAL 3,073,639

DOOR KNOB ASSEMBLY Filed June 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS THOMASG. SCONZO QIZQEEW Q. RIBHUDO M' PMW ATT RNEY Jan. 15, 1963 1-. e. scoNzoETAL 3,073,639

DOOR KNOB ASSEMBLY Filed June 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H a ig 2x 2? TOM S QNDRQW Q. E\BQUDO BY M} Jan. 15, 1963 T. G. SCONZO ETAL 3,073,639

DOOR KNOB ASSEMBLY Filed June 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 TEHII.7. I T315T5 66 A 65" P 42; W 21 '2 mi I fz I ZZ T5711. J i

INVENTORS THOMAS G SCONZO QNDREW Fl. RIBQUDO BY M F-W QTTOENEY T. G.SCONZO ETAL 3,073,639

DOOR KNOB ASSEMBLY Jan. 15, 1963 4 SheetsSheet 4 Filed June 21, 1960FITTO ENE Y 3,073,639 DOOR KNQE ASEMBLY Thomas G. Sconzo, Sayville, andAndrew A. Rlbaudo, Brentwood, N.Y.; said Ribaudo assignor to said ThomasG. Sconzo, Sayville, N.Y.

Filed June 21, 1960, Ser. No. 37,704 6 Claims. (Cl. 292-227) Thisinvention relates to a door knob assembly. More particularly, it relatesto a non-rotatable knob assembly for ordinary doors, and storm, screenand other types of doors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a knob assemblyhaving locking means wherein the need or requirement for screws or othertype of locking or attaching members is eliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustabledoor knob assembly having interconnectable, lockable parts which can berelatively and easily separated from or connected to a door withoutrequiring any screws for fastening the assembly to the door.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustableknob assembly for attachment to doors of different thicknesses whereinthe component parts of the knob assembly can be readily. connected toeach other forming a locking device which can be effectively used tokeep doors locked or closed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door knobassembly comprising interconnecting knobs, with depressible means, aplurality of adjustable joining members, locking means, and plates tokeep the knobs separate from each other while at the same timepermitting their coaction.

A specific object of the present'invention is to provide a door knobassembly comprising a knob adapted. to extend through the thickness ofadoor, another knob telescopically connectable with and adjustable withrespect to the first knob andfadapted to extendthrough a door, meansextending through the knobs for adjusting the positioning of the knobsrelatively of-each other with respect to the door, locking means for theknobs, means on each knob for actuating the locking means, means forlocking the knobs relatively of a door jamb, and plate means for saidknobs. 1

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings,

wherein: I r

FIG. 1 is a fragmental, partly plan, partly sectional View of apreferred embodiment of the invention associated with portion of 'a'door and'a frame;

FIG. 2 is a vertical plan view of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of thearrows 2--2 in FIGJ;

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

1 FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is asectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a side View of amale knob used in the preferred embodiment'of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a plate forming a part of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7;

. FIG9 is a rear plan view of the plate shown in FIGS.

7 and 8; FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a setting member used in theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a side view or a pair of setting members or plungers formingpart of the invention,

FIG. 12 is a partly sectional, side view of the female knob;

FIG. l3 is a right end view of FIG. 12;

nited States Patent 0 ice FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view takenon line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a view of removable locking means used for the relativeadjustment of the male and female knob.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numbersrefer to like parts throughout, it will be noted that there is provideda knob assembly 15 which includes a hollow female knob 16, a hollow maleknob 17, a plurality of interlockable, adjustable plunger members 18 and19 insertable in and extending through the interior of the joined knobsso as to permit proper adjustment of their connected length and for eachof the knobs, and a pair of plates 20 and 21, which are adapted to keepthe knobs in relatively separate position with respect to a door oncethe whole assembly has been installed in the door. One of said plates ashereinafter described is provided with locking means.

Female knob 16 has an internally threaded shank 23 I which extendsthrough an opening 24 of plate 21 and opening 25 of door 26. Said shank23 has a central hollow internally threaded portion 27 which continuesand is adapted to merge with externally threaded shank 28 of knob 17.Said central portion 27 accommodates the forward threaded projectingshank portion 28 of male knob 17 as shown in FIG. 3. Y The projectingportion 28 is further provided with a central opening 29 for purposeshereinafter described.

It will be noted also that shank 23 is provided with a pair oflongitudinal peripheral indentations 39 and 31 adapted to accommodatefingers 32 and 33 respectively of a work lock pin 34 which extendsthrough a pair of openings 35 and 36 in wall 37 of said knob. Thefingers of said lock pin 34, it will be notedare passed through theopenings 35 and 36 into indentations 3t} and 31, and fit indentations 38and 39 of shank 28 of' male knob, 17. The use of lock pin 34 after thetwo knobs are relatively adjusted is such that the knobs are interlockedby the lock pin 34 and cannot be further rotated relatively one of theother once they are set, unless said lock pin 34 is retracted to permitfurther adjustment of the knobs. The head of pin 34 extends beyond wall37 which forms the floor of knob 16 so that the head extends into saidhol lowed portion of the knob.

Said wall 37 in the interior of knob 16 also has a cen tral opening 41through which extend plungers 18 and 19 to'make contact with each other.These plungers may be relatively adjusted, as shown in the drawings, toallow for the thickness of the door to which the assembly is fixed. Whenjoined together the plungers then act as a unit in cooperation with theknobs as will be hereinafter further described. To the right of saidwall 37 as seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 14 is a spring 42 adapted to pressagainst button 43 which is pivoted at one end to the inside knob 16 sothat the button can be moved downwardly in said knob. Said knobfurthermore is provided with a pin 44 extending through openings ofextensions 45 and 46 which between them form a slit 47 as seen in FIG.12. Said pin 44 fits through one end of a tongue actuator 43 whichpivots so that one end of the tongue extends into the interor of knob16.

Said member 48 can be actuated around its pivot 44 by means of button43, said button being inwardly pivoted at one end to spring plate 50which extends upwardly from a ledge 51 in the interior of knob 16.Furthermore, said button 43, as shown, is kept in normally contactingposition with rim 52 in the periphery of the knob by said spring member42, but when said button is depressed against the action of the spring,it slidably contacts tongue 48 so as to actuate the same to extend intothe interior of the knob thus permitting the opening and closing of thedoor 26 when used in conjunction with a aura-e39 striker plate 53 fixedto and extending laterally of door iamb 54. Said tongue 48 pivotallymounted to the knob as shown is adapted to make and break a contact withstriker plate 53 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Male knob 17 is also hollow and provided with externally threaded shank28 adapted to fit into the shank of female knob 16. Said male knob isalso provided with a pair of longitudinal grooves 38 and 39 in itsperiphery so that with the corresponding grooves 30 and 31 in shank 23of the female knob they can accommodate fingers 32 and 33 of the lockpin thereby permitting after proper adjustment of the knobs to form alocking action.

Furthermore, said shank 28 as threaded permits its insertion into femaleknob 16. Said male knob .as shown accommodates inner spring '55 whichfits within the cavity of the knob, so as to hold button 56 pivotallyconnected to said knob in normally taut position against the rim 57which extends around the outermost rim of the knob.

Before said knobs are assembled on the door 26, there are inserted inthe shanks of the respectiveknobs two adjustable plungers 18 and 19.They can be engaged to any adjusted length depending on the thickness ofthe door so that therespective ends 58 and 59' can form respectivecontact with the respective buttons 56 and 43 of knobs 16 and 17. Eachplunger shown is provided with spaced teeth 60 so as to permit relativeinterrncshing whereby the relative combined length is obtained-at whichthe plungers are interlocked depending upon the thickness of the door 26to which the assembly is :attached and their contact with buttons 43 and56.

In the event a connectionhas to be made :with respect to the male andfemale knobs on door 26, it is necessary to providefor the proper lengthof the plungers 18 and 19 so that the proper and most efficient contactis made with side arm 61 of tongue 48 in female knob 16 through spring55 in the male knob 17. The relative adjustment ofsaid plungers is shownin FIG. 11 of the drawings.

In assembling the knobs on door 26, door plates and 21 are provided onefor each side of the door. Each has an opening through which therespective shank of the respective knob extends. Also, said plates areplaced in such position that they are flush with the faces of the dooras in FIGS. 1 and 3. Door plate 21 has locking means 22 and is set onthe inside of door 26 accommodating the outside of shank 23 of femaleknob 16. It also permits a flat smooth contact with the door around itsopening, while at the same time accommodating the knobs without showingany rough spots and the like.

Said plate 21, as indicated, is provided with slidable locking means 22having spaced slidable arms 62 and 63 which are adapted to fit in andslide in parallel slots 64 and 65 respectively in said knob 16. Saidlocking mechanism is onthe inside of said plate 21 and when extension 22is raised or lowered with respect to the plate housing the lockingmember, the arms 62 and 63 slide in slots 64 and 65 and control themovement of tongue 48. Thus, by locking tongue 48, it cannot moveinwardly, on its pivot, in slit 47 and tongue 48 is forced againststriker plate 53, whereby the door is kept in fixed or locked position.It will be also noted that plate 21 has notches 66 adapted toaccommodate bumps 67 on knob 16 so that the plate is held in firmlyengaged position.

The male member as shown in the assembly is also provided with a plate20 having an opening for shank 28 :and part of the base of knob 17.Furthermore, said plate 20 also has a plurality of notches 68 foraccommodating the peripheral bumps 69 of said knob.

Thus since the knobs and plates are assembled, the extensions of theplungers are in contact with each other and of such measured length anddisposition that tongue 48 can be readily actuated or operated oncontact of either button 56 or 43. By this assembly, if button 56 isdepressed it will press against extensions 59 of plunger 19 thus pushingthe plunger 18 against side piece 61 of tongue 48 so that .St d t ng eis rotated inwardly of knob 16 around pivot 44 thereby releasing tongue48 from locking contact with striker plate 53. If the door is to beopened from the inside, then button 43 is pressed inwardly of knob 16and releasing contact with plate 53.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that when the male knob isconnected with the female knob there is provided a continuous openingand the length of the insertion between the male and female knob is suchthat it will provide for the thickness of the door and it will be notedfurther that said knobs can be relatively adjusted so as to provide forany door thickness.

Once said knobs have been connected together through a door as shown inFIG. 3, it will be noted that no screws ,or bolts or nuts are required.Furthermore, in the event it is necessary to adjust the knobs withrespect to, each other after they have been locked, it is important thatthe locking means .22 which operates the rotation of one knob relativelyof the other can be used so as to open up and disconnect the two knobs..Once said knobs are connected and adjusted, depending on the thicknessof the door and the relative positioning of the plungers, the plates 20and '21 remain in fixed position against the door 26. To adjust thelocked assembly, it would be necessary to 'work under button 43 ,toslide the locking means'34 from the peripheral indentations in theshanks of the knobs.

Also, said tongue 48 pivotally connected to the female knob is adaptedto form a locking engagement with striker plate 53, which is connectedtothe door jamb. Once this connection has been made, the knob assembly ispermanently fixed to the door so that no further action is required.

There also is provided the proper esthetic appearance of the knobassembly on the door, by using a pair of plates namely 20 and 21, one ofwhich goes on the outside of the door and the other one goes on theinside of the door so that the knobs will be properly anchored withregard to the opening in the door.

In order to hold said knobs at a desirable distance, it would be notedthat plungers 18 and 19 make operable contact with the buttons of therespective knobs. The plungers each consist of a shaft on which thereare provided a number of teeth so that one can be interlocked with theother half thus acting as an adjustable operating member with respect tothebuttons of the knobs. Each is adapted to extend into the respectivehollow of each knob so as to effect the proper operation of theassembly.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be noted that changes as to form, arrangement anduse of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A door knob assembly comprising an exterior and an interior plate forattachment to a door,

said plates each having an opening therein,

a female knob extending through one of said plates and said door,

a male knob adapted to extend through the other plate and said door andbe connected with the first said knob,

latch means for the door hingedly afiixed to one of the said knobs,

plunger means adjustable as to length within and slidable longitudinallywithin said knobs, in engagement with said latch means for slid-ablyunlatching said latch means,

and sliding locking means for said latch means and engageable therewithin said interior plate to lock the latch means, said knobs havingthreaded means for engaging each other and adjustable for regulating thelength of the distance of the one knob from the other.

2. A door knob assembly comprising a pair of plates for both sides of adoor and having openings for alignment with a door opening,

a female knob in one said plate and a male knob in the other said plateadapted for interconnection and extension through the door opening andso interconnected, and

further adapted by reason of their length to hold said plates in firmcontact with a door when so interconnected,

longitudinally dimensionally adjustable plunger means within said knobslongitudinally slidable therein,

depressible means on one said knob for sliding said plunger means incontact therewith,

latch means on another said knob for holding a door in position, incontact with and releasable by sliding of said plunger means,

depressible means on said another knob in contact with and actuable torelease said latch means, and

locking means on a said plate slidable to engage and immobilize saidlatch means, said knobs having threaded means for engaging each otherand adjustable for regulating the length of the distance of one knobfrom the other.

3. A locking door knob assembly comprising a pair of rotatablythreadedly interconnectable hollow knob members having each a shankportion,

adjustable plunger means extending through the shank portions of saidknob members, longitudinally insertable therein and rotationallyimmovable with respect thereto for prevention of rotation therebetween,

a pair of plates for said knob members adapted to be applied against theface of a door to which the assembly is to be attached and thereretained by pressure of said knob members,

door locking means in one of said knob members comprising a protrudinglatch, and having a shape adapted to retain and be immobilized by aninserted slidable detent means, said slidable detent means being mountedon one of said plates and having an arm slidable into engagement withsaid door locking means for immobilizing engagement therewith.

4. A door knob assembly for connection with a door of any desiredthickness having locking means on the jamb comprising a pair of platemembers attachable to each side of said door, each of said membershaving an opening therein, said door having an opening thereincorresponding with the opening in each of said plates so as to becoincidental with the longitudinal axis of said opening,

a knob having a threaded shank extendable through the opening of one ofsaid plates,

another knob having a threaded shank extendable through the opening ofthe other plate and adapted to engage the other knob, each of saidshanks hav- 5 mg a hollow mtericr portion of prismatic section 1nlongitudinal apposition,

spring means in each of said knobs,

a depressible button means on each knob held by said spring means in anormally extended position,

movable means on one of said knobs for making contact with said lockingmeans on a door jamb, and extensibly adjustable slidable plunger meansin the hollow portions of the shanks of said knobs, contacting one saidbutton means and the said movable means making contact therewith,

the other said button means being in direct contact therewith, wherebydepression of either button means moves the movable means of makingcontact for unlocking from the door jamb;

the said one button means by pressing the slidable plunger means againstthe means for making con tact,

and the other button means by pressing thereon directly.

5. A door knob assembly for use in connection with a door of any desiredthickness having a door jamb, comprising a pair of plates each having anopening in alignment with the other,

said door having an opening therein coaxial with the opening on each ofsaid plates,

a first knob extendable through the opening of one of said plates,

said knob having a bump abutting one of the said plates, and also havinga shank extending through the opening thereof and of the door,

another knob extendable through the opening of the other said plate,having a bump abutting said other plate and a shank adapted to engagethe shank of the said first knob,

removable means for holding said knobs together,

a tongue member pivotally extending from one knob forming a lockingengagement with a fixed plate on a door jamb,

and locking means located in one of said plates for the said one knobfor immobilizing the tongue member.

6. A tongue knob assembly for doors and the like comprising a pair ofthreadedly interconnectible knobs having hollow square interior portionsin line, adapted to pass through the opening of a door,

an outside plate for each of said knobs, adapted to fit against thedoor, a pair of lengthwise, adjustably interlocking plungers having asquare interlocked outline extending through the interior of the knobsand slidable therein,

one of said knobs having a depressible button for sliding the plungers,

a tongue member pivotally mounted on the other said knob adapted to beactuated by a depressible button on the other said knob and by plungersliding,

spring means in each said knob for keeping said buttons in extendedposition in the knobs,

and locking means in one of said plates 'for locking said tongue toprevent movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FoxOct. 5, 1943

1. A DOOR KNOB ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN EXTERIOR AND AN INTERIOR PLATE FORATTACHMENT TO A DOOR, SAID PLATES EACH HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, AFEMALE KNOB EXTENDING THROUGH ONE OF SAID PLATES AND SAID DOOR, A MALEKNOB ADAPTED TO EXTEND THROUGH THE OTHER PLATE AND SAID DOOR AND BECONNECTED WITH THE FIRST SAID KNOB, LATCH MEANS FOR THE DOOR HINGEDLYAFFIXED TO ONE OF THE SAID KNOBS, PLUNGER MEANS ADJUSTABLE AS TO LENGTHWITHIN AND SLIDABLE LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN SAID KNOBS, IN ENGAGEMENT WITHSAID LATCH MEANS FOR SLIDABLY UNLATCHING SAID LATCH MEANS, AND SLIDINGLOCKING MEANS FOR SAID LATCH MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE THEREWITH IN SAIDINTERIOR PLATE TO LOCK THE LATCH MEANS, SAID KNOBS HAVING THREADED MEANSFOR ENGAGING EACH OTHER AND ADJUSTABLE FOR REGULATING THE LENGTH OF THEDISTANCE OF THE ONE KNOB FROM THE OTHER.